Seeking to help county residents gain first class access to health care, Clearlake Grocery Outlet has announced its support of St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s new Emergency Department. Store owners Mitch and Carol Beare have generously offered to match up to $5,000 through checkout donations during the month of May.

"This is a fundraiser that I could get excited about because it’s supporting our local community," says Mitch Beare. "Improving our local facilities is what it’s all about." Employees expressed excitement as several of them have used the current emergency facility and understand the need for its expansion.

The new Emergency Department is currently in Phase Two of three phases of the construction progress. The expanded, high-tech new facility is slated to open in April of 2013. David Santos, Vice-President of Operations explains, "The hospital began construction of the new Emergency Department because of the urgent need for a viable facility like this, but funding is still needed . The hospital began this project in good faith that the community would come through with the funding for their community hospital."

The total cost of the new Emergency Department is budgeted at $12.1 million. With $9 million from the parent company, Adventist Health; $1 million from the Redbud Health Care District; and over $300,000 from generous local supporters such as St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake Employees and Administration, Rotary Club of Clearlake, Lake Pharmacy, Wells Fargo, and Bikram Yoga Lake County; $1.8 million remains to be raised.

"The hospital is so grateful for this type of community support. I hope others follow Mitch and Carol’s caring example. Thank you Clearlake Grocery Outlet!" says Melissa Kinsel, Development Officer at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. She added, "Every one of us will have to use the hospital at some point. It’s here for all of us."

About St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake:

is part of Adventist Health, a faith-based, not-for-profit integrated health care delivery system with nearly 20,000 employees serving communities in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Founded on the health values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Adventist Health provides compassionate care in 18 acute care hospitals, more than 135 clinics (rural health and physician clinics), 14 home care agencies and four joint-venture retirement centers. We invite you to visit www.sthelenahospitals.org for more information.